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Nepal and Germany on Tuesday signed financial and technical cooperation agreements on Euros 56,000,000.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Shreekrishna Nepal and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nepal Dr Thomas Prinz signed the agreements on behalf of their respective governments.

The grant was the sum pledged by the Federal Republic of Germany in 2022.

The financial cooperation agreement shall support the private and public sector to expand energy transmission lines, to promote solar energy, gender equality and to improve maternal care and childcare in remote areas in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kathmandu.  

The technical cooperation agreement focuses to support gender equality and social inclusion in Nepal and local and provincial economic development - especially in Western Nepal (together with the European Union and Finland).

Moreover, the Agreement shall promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, strengthen quality infrastructure for sustainable economic development and support the health sector strategy in Nepal, according to the statement.

The Federal Republic of Germany has consistently contributed to Nepal’s development efforts in diverse ways over the years. It has been actively contributing to the fields of energy, health, good governance as well as aiding Nepal in meeting its Sustainable Development Goals. Through this grant, the German Government targets to further enhance its commitment and continue its valuable support to the people of Nepal.

“Our friendship with Nepal is deeply cherished. Germany has been supporting Nepal’s hydropower and energy endeavors, among others, since long. Through collaboration and support, we aim to contribute to its continued progress and prosperity,” said Ambassador Dr Thomas Prinz on the occasion, the statement reads.

The year 2023 marked the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Germany.

The traders and businesspersons of New Road area have protested after the Kathmandu Metropolitan City banned vehicle parking in the area.

The entrepreneurs protested by closing all shutters of shops in the area after the KMC announced 'no parking area' there from today. Earlier, vehicles were being parked at the New Road area.

Chairperson of Nepal National Federation of Entrepreneurs, Kumar Karki, said entrepreneurs of New Road area are in problems after the KMC decided to remove parking in an unscientific manner.

He mentioned, "Ban of vehicle parking in the area has added more problems at a time when there is no good business."

The KMC has removed vehicles parked in the New Road area from this morning. Chief of KMC Police, Raju Nath Pandey, shared that the decision to ban vehicle parking at New Road area was taken to ease the movement of people and ease crowds at the area.

He added they have made arrangements for a free parking facility at Kathmandu Tower where 300 four-wheelers and 700 two-wheelers could be parked. The KMC carried out a special cleanliness of parking prohibited area this morning.

The Nepali market is saturated with things. Even though we import most products, there is no dearth of items to fit every taste and budget. But, we believe, shopping shouldn’t just be about accumulating things. The stuff you bring into your house should have a story to tell, it should bring joy, and if you can help someone in the process then that’s even better. Here, we recommend three cool places to shop. From stationery and household items to clothes and other accessories, you will find everything you need at these stunning stores.

Maya ko Chino

Located at Jhamsikhel chowk in Lalitpur, Maya ko Chino is a quaint little store that houses a lot of things. There are macrame decorations, ceramic items like cups, jugs, and bowls, copper and steel kitchen items, notebooks made from recycled paper, and knitwear, among other things. It’s a collective store that promotes handmade products from different parts of Nepal. Some local brands that feature prominently at the store include Joba Knitwear, Eco Sathi Nepal, Yellow Hatti, Saboo: Nepal, and We Will Rise Collective. All the items are well-made and thus durable. We guarantee you will want to browse the store thoroughly and won’t be able to leave empty-handed. While you are there, say hi to the owner’s much-pampered pooch, whom she took in from the streets a few years ago, and can now be found lounging in the store. She’s a sweetheart.

The Local Project Nepal

When The Local Project was launched in 2017, as a platform for native and indigenous products, it was perhaps the first of its kind. Their main aim is to provide customers with a wide range of locally made products that are of good quality and sustainable. They believe in fair wages and are driven by their desire to provide local artisans and entrepreneurs with sustainable livelihoods. They also focus on empowering women and socially excluded groups as well as promoting the concepts of recycling and upcycling. Besides their line of products, they have items from Yatri Supply Kathmandu, Riti Riti, Suiro Teas, Mheecha, Alchi, and The White Yak, among others. The Local Project Nepal has two outlets: one in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, inside Evoke Café premises, and the other in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, inside Le Sherpa Restaurant. Both the outlets are closed on Mondays. Le Sherpa hosts a farmer’s market on Saturdays and this can be a great time to visit The Local Project outlet there.

Dhukuti

For home décor and crafts, Dhukuti in Kupondole, Lalitpur, can become your one-stop solution. Spread across three floors, opposite the newly-opened Himalayan Java in Kupondole, Dhukuti is the retail store of the Association of Craft Producers which is a fair-trade organization in Nepal that supports low-income artisans with the production process as well as marketing. At Dhukuti, you can buy bed sheets and covers, tableware, wooden furniture, metal furniture, tote bags and pouches, ceramics, and paper crafts including gift bags and envelopes among many other things. Driven by a commitment to fair trade, ACP ensures that the things sold at Dhukuti adhere to the values of fairness and long-term sustainability. The shop is frequented by foreigners and locals alike, with the latter now showing a growing interest in it than ever before.

Jyoti Bikash Bank, through its CSR initiatives, has distributed Baby Warmer machines to 38 governmental and community hospitals across the country, benefiting over 6,000 infants during childbirth. The Nyano Nani Baby Warmers, domestically produced by the National Innovation Center led by Dr Mahabir Pun, were made possible through the ‘Hamro Bikash Prabardhan Kosh’, a fund established by Jyoti Bikash Bank to support CSR activities. 

In 2077, marking its 12th anniversary, the bank announced collaboration with the National Innovation Center. The phased distribution included 10 Nyano baby warmers in the first phase, 13 in the second, and 15 in the third, making a total of 38 Nyano baby warmers over three and a half years. “The initial goal of partnering with the National Innovation Center was to benefit hospitals and delivery cases, while also fostering the skills of youth to ideate and manufacture such equipment domestically,” the bank says.

In the first phase, the bank distributed the baby warmes in Kapilvastu Community Hospital in Kapilvastu, Madhyabindu District Hospital in Nawalpur, Mahakali Zonal Hospital in Kanchanpur, Pyuthan District Hospital in Pyuthan, Primary Health Center in Mahottari, Amda Hospital in Jhapa, District Hospital in Khotang, Samari health post in Nuwakot, Beni Hospital in Myagdi and Burtibang Primary Health Center in Baglung. 

In the second phase baby warmers were distributed in Lipanibirta Health post in Parwanipur, Hetauda Hospital in Hetauda, Betini Community Health post in Phaparbari, Chandranigahpur Hospital in Chandranigahpur, Inaruwa in Sunsari Hospitals, Chiuridanda Health Chowki in Khotang, Kalpavriksha Health post in Sindhuli, Bhingri Primary Health Center in Pyuthan, Mahadevpuri Health Chowki in Banke, District Hospital in Bardia, Health Service Office in Jajarkot, Deurali Primary Health Center in Nuwakot and Shishuwa Hospital in Kaski.

“In the third phase, the bank will provide services to Baksila Health Chowki in Khotang, Okhaldhunga Community Hospital in Okhaldhunga, District Hospital in Ilam, Khairhani Nagar Hospital in Chitwan, Tharpu Health Chowki in Tanahun, Baghoda Hospital in Chitwan, Dodhara Primary Health Center in Kanchanpur, Sisahnia Health Post in Dang, Harnaiya Health Post in Rupandehi, Pheta Health Post in Bara, Mahakali Health Post in Nuwakot, Abukhareni Hospital in Tanahun, Nepal Family Planning Association Health Center in Itahari, Khadgbhanjyang Health Post in Nuwakot and Zarbutya Health Post in Surkhet Zarbutya Health Post,” says the bank.

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli today handed a memorandum incorporating 751 plans and programs along with possibilities and challenges of the development of the Mid-hills region to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The main opposition party compiled in written form the demands, memos and suggestions that it received from the people and the problems the party itself observed in course of the 'Resolution Journey for Prosperity' campaign launched by the UML from Jhulaghat of Baitadi to Chiwabhanjyang of Taplejung from November 30 to December 17.

The UML has drawn the attention of the Government of Nepal to the latest condition of the Pushpalal (Mid-hills) highway and also to the need of realignment and improvement of the highway at several places. It is stated that the Mid-hills region has accorded priority to the highest number of 157 demands related to the road and 25 related to construction of bridges.

Among the major suggestions are related to road, education, tourism, agriculture and fruits, health, industries, energy, motorable bridges, irrigation, building construction, preservation and promotion of culture, land management, settlement development, sports, ending the evil social practices as caste discrimination and untouchability, and violence, management of drinking water and source conservation, reconstruction and rehabilitation in earthquake-affected areas, construction of tunnel way, prevention of soil erosion and construction of embankments, among others.

The memo incorporated various issues including migration becoming a big challenge in hilly settlements, some of the settlements turning empty due to outmigration, some of the schools being on verge of closure in lack of students, fertile land turning barren, some of the places even lacking family members to take care their elderly parents, as well as lack of youths to carry the dead to the cremation ground, said UML's central Publicity and Publication Department Chief, Rajendra Gautam.

Similarly, the UML urged the government to stop the uncontrolled import of agro products from foreign countries, to control exploitation by middlemen, to make arrangements of capital and technology, crop insurance, support price of production and its market.

Stating that post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation task in Jajarkot and Rukum West is in snail's pace and very disappointing, the UML assessed that death of more than 34 quake-victims from cold in lack of temporary huts and warm clothes is the matter of shame.

It also demanded the government to save the life of the people by providing relief for temporary huts and guarantee the temporary huts for them immediately.

All preparations along with necessary security arrangements for the National Assembly election have been completed. The NA election is taking place on January 25.

The voting is scheduled from 9 am to 3 pm where Province Assembly members, and the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of rural municipalities, and the mayors and deputy-mayors of urban municipalities are the voters.

The Election Commission has determined a silence period from Monday mid-night till the end of voting in order to maintain impartiality, transparency and a fear-free environment in the election as per the legal provision.

During the silence period, political party office-bearers, candidates, sister organizations of the party, other persons, institutions and bodies that must follow the election code of conduct are not allowed to conduct any kind of discussion, interaction, meeting and workshop related to election publicity, said EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel.

Arrangements have been made for white ballot paper having election symbols in green ink for Province Assembly members, and for white ballot paper with election symbols in red ink for chairperson, vice-chairpersons of the rural municipalities and mayors and deputy-mayors of municipalities in the election.

Nepal has said that the Global South is emerging as an economic powerhouse and contributing to more than half of the world’s growth. 

Addressing the third South Summit of Group 77 and China, Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal  stressed on the importance of deeper cooperation in addressing the myriad of global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, inequality, debt distress, conflicts, climate change, and geopolitical rivalry.

The summit brought more than 134 countries together on a single platform to enhance South-South cooperation in the areas of sustainable development, climate change, trade, and investment, among others. 

Lamsal reiterated Nepal’s support to the Group of 77 and China in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Agreement, and other Internationally Agreed Development Goals including Doha Program of Action. She expressed Nepal’s strong commitment to fostering solidarity, harmony, and cooperation among countries of the Global South.

She highlighted that the Global South is emerging as an economic powerhouse and contributing to more than half of the world’s growth. With 134 member countries comprising over two-thirds of UN members and 80 percent of the global population, Group of 77 and China, is a strong force to be reckoned with, said Lamsal. “Together, we can deliver better and greater,” she added.

Foreign Secretary Lamsal also urged the group to play an instrumental role in decision-making and norm-setting in global development and financial architecture. She called on the member states to collaborate in making multilateralism more inclusive, innovative, and responsive to the needs of developing countries.

While calling for the fulfillment of promises and commitments made by developed countries in terms of Official Development Assistance, climate financing, and technology transfer, she underscored the importance of strengthening North-South, South-South, and Triangular Cooperation by focusing on the needs of LDCs in trade, infrastructure, and productive capacity.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed commitment to making the coming fiscal year's policy, program and budget people-oriented.

During the meeting with a delegation led by CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli at the official residence of the Prime Minister in Baluwatar today, PM Dahal shared that he was hopeful that it would bring good results as the quality change is going to be made in coming year's policy, program and the structure, timeline and process of the budget.

On the occasion, the CPN-UML had submitted a memorandum before the government after incorporating the demands put forth by the people during 'Resolution Journey for Prosperity' campaign launched by the UML from Jhulaghat of Baitadi to Chiwabhanjyang of Taplejung from November 30 to December 17.

Receiving the memo, the Prime Minister said the attention drawn by the UML on the issues of development, construction of mid-hill areas, public service and prosperity would make significant contributions in the government's policy, program and budget making.

He further said the UML's campaign has significantly contributed in protection of and strengthening the federal democratic republic.

PM Dahal also expressed commitment that the government would be seriously involved to address the possible issues presented by the UML in the memo.

Sharing that the campaign made significant contributions to understand the life of mid-hill areas, development construction, people's psychology, the situation of political collaboration, aspiration of prosperity, and its possibilities, former Prime Minister and UML Chair Oli urged the prime Minister to help address the issues incorporated in the memo.

UML office-bearers as well as other leaders were also in the delegation.